PETALING JAYA: Controlling the access to the Internet via the mobile phone for the young will go a long way in protecting the children from the ills of the cyber world.
According to Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, about 35% of mobile subscribers in the country are below the age of 18.
“Now with the rise of mobile Internet access, they are on the go, posting on Facebook or Foursquare,” he said at a roundtable discussion on Internet child protection.
One suggestion discussed was the “underage until proven otherwise” approach as adopted by Britain.
In Britain, under a voluntary initiative by the industry, individuals buying prepaid cards with data access must show proof they are 18 and above to lift content controls enforced by service providers.
Sharil, who chaired the discussion, said the commission was open to such initiatives but was reluctant to take the first step.
“Were we to propose such a strategy, we would be accused of trying to censor the Internet and curbing freedom of expression,” he said at the roundtable hosted by The Star in partnership with DiGi.
CyberSecurity Malaysia CEO Lt Col (Rtd) Prof Datuk Husin Jazri said industry-led initiatives, such as special mobile subscriptions for children, could help.
The Star executive editor Datuk Wong Sai Wan said: “While parents should not abdicate all responsibility for teaching their children safe online behaviour, guidance is needed.
“The rules have changed, parents today don’t know what the parameters are anymore. What is the proper approach? I worry all the time about who are these potential monsters my daughter is talking to online.”
Telenor Group director of corporate responsibility Ola-Jo Tandre said instilling a sense of responsibility in children required engaging them with relevant content and using examples to demonstrate the consequences of their actions.